I think saying OW swimming is not swimming is insulting, yes. Certainly there have to be some different rules governing the two, though, and I guess that's how they spin it. Wouldn't want to get stung by jellies.
For women, especially, FINA only rolled back the clock by 2 years. I don't think that is "punting." For men, I think jammers is consistent with the idea that the main purpose of the suit is modesty.
Of course, USMS issued this statement months ago (in March, I think):
"FINA approval or rejection of new swimwear introduced after September 30, 2007, will be accepted by U.S. Masters Swimming for U.S.M.S. sanctioned and recognized competition."
In addition to the ban of double-suits, this is the current "law of the land" in USMS, I believe. I guess the Rules Committee needs to clarify what this means, exactly, after Jan 1.
As I said before, and as others have since agreed, I don't think there necessarily has to be a dichotomy between pool and OW swimming. Do swim skins provide more protection than textile suits? Not so sure ... I agree with LBJ that FINA screwed this issue up as well.
That's not correct about FINA rolling back the clock 2 years for women. I recall women wearing full body suits with zippers in the 2000 Olympics. And I disagree with the notion that suits are just for "modesty" purposes. That hasn't been the case for a decade, and I don't see why it should be. Other sports have specialty/speed enhancing equipment, and I don't see why swimming should be exempt from this reality and go backward in time. I think it's absolutely correct to say that FINA punted on this issue. There's no middle ground or regulation -- it's just an outright victory for purists.
My understanding is that the current USA/FINA "ban" is NOT the law of the land for masters and that we are currently permitted to wear B70s etc. That's why a majority of folks at Nationals had tech suits and why you will continue to see them at USMS meets.
If this issue isn't addressed at Convention, when will it be addressed? Do you really think USMS will advocate a position? I don't ... I think they will wait and see what FINA does.
I think saying OW swimming is not swimming is insulting, yes. Certainly there have to be some different rules governing the two, though, and I guess that's how they spin it. Wouldn't want to get stung by jellies.
For women, especially, FINA only rolled back the clock by 2 years. I don't think that is "punting." For men, I think jammers is consistent with the idea that the main purpose of the suit is modesty.
Of course, USMS issued this statement months ago (in March, I think):
"FINA approval or rejection of new swimwear introduced after September 30, 2007, will be accepted by U.S. Masters Swimming for U.S.M.S. sanctioned and recognized competition."
In addition to the ban of double-suits, this is the current "law of the land" in USMS, I believe. I guess the Rules Committee needs to clarify what this means, exactly, after Jan 1.
As I said before, and as others have since agreed, I don't think there necessarily has to be a dichotomy between pool and OW swimming. Do swim skins provide more protection than textile suits? Not so sure ... I agree with LBJ that FINA screwed this issue up as well.
That's not correct about FINA rolling back the clock 2 years for women. I recall women wearing full body suits with zippers in the 2000 Olympics. And I disagree with the notion that suits are just for "modesty" purposes. That hasn't been the case for a decade, and I don't see why it should be. Other sports have specialty/speed enhancing equipment, and I don't see why swimming should be exempt from this reality and go backward in time. I think it's absolutely correct to say that FINA punted on this issue. There's no middle ground or regulation -- it's just an outright victory for purists.
My understanding is that the current USA/FINA "ban" is NOT the law of the land for masters and that we are currently permitted to wear B70s etc. That's why a majority of folks at Nationals had tech suits and why you will continue to see them at USMS meets.
If this issue isn't addressed at Convention, when will it be addressed? Do you really think USMS will advocate a position? I don't ... I think they will wait and see what FINA does.
